Korean R&B music is quickly making waves in mainstream society. Artists such as Gallant discovered them via Honne and artists such as Zion T and up-and-coming group Crush are just some of the talented individuals contributing to its development.
Punchnello made waves this year when he released his debut EP Ordinary with 0channel, providing fans of harder music an immersive listening experience.
Oceanfromtheblue
Oceanfromtheblue is a South Korean singer-songwriter who has quickly made waves with his smooth vocals and charming lyrics. Beginning to write songs during university days and quickly building an online following prior to debuting in 2018, his music evokes deep blue melancholy with touches of warmth that has reached many emotional playlists across multiple emotional playlists worldwide, earning him a loyal fan base.
oceanfromtheblue’s debut full-length album was released on February 2. Comprised of 12 intimate R&B tracks spanning ballad, pop, disco and funk genres, oceansfromtheblue is an intimate listen and offers its listeners something fresh for Valentine’s Day and beyond.
“Open Your Mind,” the first track on the album, offers a relaxed yet energetic sound with its combination of cool synth and xylophone sounds. Its melody is mesmerizing while its percussion provides the perfect rhythm. Additionally, Lomi and slchld’s backing vocals add extra excitement during its bridge – it truly creates an audible experience!
Kang Juwon, commonly referred to by his stage name oceanfromtheblue, is a Korean singer-songwriter and beat maker. Beginning his piano studies when he was seven, Oceanfromtheblue quickly found himself drawn to R&B after listening to American artists like Daniel Caesar and H.E.R. His music draws on R&B and hip hop elements while also including elements from other genres – and he hopes to release more poppish, lively songs in future releases.
DEAN
DEAN is one of the driving forces behind Korean R&B. His smooth flow and pop sensibility has won him collaborations with some of the genre’s most influential artists. Born Kwon Hyuk in 1992, Dean quickly developed a love of hip-hop from an early age – by 18 he was writing songs for K-pop stars (‘Instagram’ and ‘Howlin 404’ are his signature tracks from K-pop stars he’d written songs for). DEAN appears on IU’s Lilac album track “Troll”.
Korea’s R&B scene may not reach the same mainstream reach as its hip-hop and K-pop counterparts, yet still has an eclectic sound that blends jazz, indie, and soul influences. This has produced an array of artists ranging from independent alt-R&B musicians to polished pop stars – and this has led to an eclectic scene in Korea itself.
Heize is a rising star who has won the admiration of her fans due to her silky vocals and catchy songs. Miso also stands out as an artist worth following with their blend of chill R&B, indie rock, and tasteful production. Rad Museum leans more toward minimal, lo-fi indie R&B sounds; his collaborations include those with DEAN, Colde and Punchmello among many others.
Emi Choi
Emi Choi is an independent singer-songwriter based out of Toronto who composes Chill R&B Pop with Jazz influences. She enjoys making videos and writing songs for YouTube channels but aspires to enter the music industry as either writer or producer; her aim is to inspire future creatives that it is possible to follow your dreams even when they feel fear.
Rhythm and blues may not be for everyone, but when performed by contemporary artists it can bring out strong emotions even from hardened listeners. These 2020 releases offer the ideal introduction for newcomers or as a nostalgic memory for longtime fans alike.
Heize is one of the most beloved artists today. Her soothing vocals and soulful R&B songs will put you in an upbeat state of mind, while her latest single “Boyfriend”, featuring DEAN, provides the ideal relaxing tune.
Rad Museum is another artist to keep an eye out for. His music fuses alternative R&B with indie R&B, featuring tasteful production and subtle songwriting. He has collaborated with Colde, MISO and Punchnello; though these influences contribute to his sound; Rad Museum remains true to himself and keeps his unique sound; hopefully in future he hopes to produce more ethereal tunes!
Punchnello
Punchnello is an independent artist known for pushing boundaries. Beginning his career by creating bonds with fellow IAN and Cream artists through YouTube b-boying tutorials, then moving on to establish his eponymous label together with members of Dream Perfect Regime crew. Since then he has become an integral member of Korean hip-hop scene producing music alongside Simon Dominic, Tabber and more.
Lee Young-sin, better known by his stage name Punchnello is a South Korean rapper. Upon making his debut under Epik High’s Tablo’s label HIGHGRND in 2016, Punchnello moved over to AOMG where he later won “Show Me The Money 8”.
Punchnello has established himself as an incredible rapper thanks to his melodic flow and impressive wordplay, making his latest project Demon Youth an essential listen. Boasting eye-catching artwork by Japanese artist Junji Ito himself as well as techno and electronic beats that compliment punchnello’s rhythmic flows perfectly, it features all things that define punchnello himself: melodic flows with impressive wordplay reminiscent of classical jazz records like Bach’s Sonata No.3!
Additionally, the accompanying music video perfectly captures the lyrical content of this song. Beginning as a black-and-white video featuring only punchnello in his solitary surroundings before widening into full color when SAAY appears elsewhere – its square proportion reflecting his limited perspective, which allows viewers to feel closer as he shares his thoughts with them. Yet punchnello still delivers an engaging performance that resonates with listeners.
Sogumm
Korean artists use R&B music as an outlet to express their emotions and experiences through expressive instruments like flute and oboe, groovy synths and underrated bass lines or any combination thereof. R&B music can be both soothing and emotive while often exploring themes such as love or heartbreak – some well-known K-R&B artists include Crush Dean Zion.T whose videos use monochrome cinematography with symbolic references in order to emote emotions expressed through their songs.
South Korean singer Kwon So-hee, better known by her stage name Sogumm, first debuted independently in 2015 before signing to Jay Park’s AOMG label in 2019. Since then she has gained fame for her unique singing style and bold lyricism that draws listeners in like a magnet. Her songs evok a carefree vibe while being catchy enough for any genre or mood imaginable; Precious showcases this versatility as an artist.
Balming Tiger is a musical collective and self-declared “multinational alternative band.” Their lineup features rappers, producers, visual artists, writers, and more – from rappers and producers to visual artists and writers – that boasts millions of streams on YouTube for songs like Just Fun! and Loop. Furthermore, their track ‘Sexy Nukim’ featuring RM from BTS has also caused quite an uproar worldwide! This collective doesn’t settle for less than greatness!
Jimmy Brown
For soothing music that will put a smile on your face, check out Jimmy Brown’s new album. His soothing voice will enchant you while his musical arrangements bring happiness into your heart – you can listen to his album on both Spotify and Apple Music!
K-R&B is an ever-evolving genre that’s quickly gaining in popularity thanks to independent artists and producers. Combining elements from rhythm and blues with other international genres like soul jazz pop etc, it forms its own genre unique to Korea while still having roots in popular music.
Korean R&B music boasts an abundance of offerings, from DIY alt-R&B bands to polished pop sensations. Many artists employ traditional R&B instruments such as pianos and guitars while employing syncopation – which adds tension by intentionally interrupting rhythm – for additional effect.
There’s also a more introspective side to hip-hop music with artists like Zion-T and Dean choosing not to appear prominently in public performances. This isn’t unusual among introverts who prefer being anonymous while they focus on creating.
Baekhyun is another talented K-R&B artist destined to have an impactful impact in his genre. His debut album “Love” showcased his versatility as both singer and songwriter while being an homage to both fans and personal experiences – creating a profoundly moving experience for its listeners.